Bluetooth zone control using proximity detection

Abstract

According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of a Bluetooth zone control system. In an exemplary embodiment, a Bluetooth zone control system generally includes a first Bluetooth device configured to provide a first Bluetooth signal. A location of the first Bluetooth device corresponds to a location of a machine. The system also includes an operator control unit having a second Bluetooth device configured to detect the first Bluetooth signal. The operator control unit is configured to control the machine based on first authorization rights when the second Bluetooth device detects the first Bluetooth signal at or above a signal threshold, and to control the machine based on second authorization rights when the second Bluetooth device does not detect the first Bluetooth signal at or above the signal threshold.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A Bluetooth zone control system comprising:
 a first Bluetooth device configured to provide a first Bluetooth signal, a location of the first Bluetooth device corresponding to a location of a machine; and 
 an operator control unit including a second Bluetooth device configured to detect the first Bluetooth signal, the operator control unit configured to control the machine based on first authorization rights when the second Bluetooth device detects the first Bluetooth signal at or above a signal threshold, and to control the machine based on second authorization rights when the second Bluetooth device does not detect the first Bluetooth signal at or above the signal threshold. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the machine includes the first Bluetooth device, and the first Bluetooth signal provided by the first Bluetooth device defines a zone around the machine. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 2 , wherein the zone is defined by adjusting a power of the first Bluetooth signal provided by the first Bluetooth device. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the signal threshold includes at least one of detecting the first Bluetooth signal provided by the first Bluetooth device, a signal strength of the first Bluetooth signal, and a time of flight of the first Bluetooth signal. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the operator control unit is configured to permit a user in possession of the operator control unit to control the machine based on the first authorization rights when the user is within a proximity distance of the machine, the proximity distance corresponding to detection of the first Bluetooth signal at or above the signal threshold. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first authorization rights include allowing control of the machine using the operator control unit, and the second authorization rights include inhibiting control of the machine using the operator control unit. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the machine is a first machine; 
 the system further comprises a third Bluetooth device configured to provide a second Bluetooth signal, a location of the third Bluetooth device corresponding to a location of a second machine; and 
 the second Bluetooth device of the operator control unit is configured to detect the second Bluetooth signal, the operator control unit configured to control the second machine based on third authorization rights when the second Bluetooth device detects the second Bluetooth signal at or above the signal threshold, and to control the second machine based on fourth authorization rights when the second Bluetooth device does not detect the second Bluetooth signal at or above the signal threshold. 
 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the operator control unit is configured to control both the first and second machines based on fifth authorization rights when the second Bluetooth device of the operator control unit detects both the first Bluetooth signal and the second Bluetooth signal at or above the signal threshold. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a configuration server configured to adjust the first and second authorization rights. 
     
     
       10. A Bluetooth zone control device comprising:
 an operator control unit configured to control a machine based on authorization rights for the machine; and 
 a Bluetooth device coupled to the operator control unit and configured to detect a Bluetooth signal for the machine, the Bluetooth signal for the machine corresponding to a location of the machine; 
 wherein the operator control unit is configured to allow a user possessing the operator control unit to control the machine based on the authorization rights, the authorization rights based on a location of the operator control unit relative to the machine as detected by the Bluetooth device. 
 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 10 , wherein the Bluetooth signal for the machine is provided by a Bluetooth low energy device coupled to the machine, and the Bluetooth signal defines a zone around the machine. 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 10 , wherein the location of the operator control unit relative to the machine is determined by the Bluetooth device detecting the Bluetooth signal at or above a signal threshold, the signal threshold based on a specified signal strength and/or a time of flight of the Bluetooth signal. 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the authorization rights include allowing control of the machine using the operator control unit when the operator control unit is within a proximity distance threshold of the machine; and 
 the authorization rights include inhibiting control of the machine using the operator control unit when the operator control unit is outside of the proximity distance threshold of the machine. 
 
     
     
       14. The device of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the machine is a first machine, the Bluetooth signal is a first Bluetooth signal for the first machine, and the authorization rights are first authorization rights; 
 the operator control unit is configured to control a second machine based on second authorization rights for the machine; 
 the Bluetooth device of the operator control unit is configured to detect a second Bluetooth signal for the second machine, the second Bluetooth signal for the second machine corresponding to a location of the second machine; and 
 the operator control unit is configured to allow a user possessing the operator control unit to control the second machine based on the second authorization rights, the second authorization rights based on a location of the operator control unit relative to the second machine as detected by the Bluetooth device. 
 
     
     
       15. A Bluetooth zone control system comprising:
 a controller configured to control a machine; 
 at least one machine Bluetooth device configured to provide a first Bluetooth signal, a location of the machine Bluetooth device corresponding to a location of the machine, the first Bluetooth signal defining a zone relative to the machine; and 
 at least one asset Bluetooth device; 
 the controller configured to inhibit motion of the machine when the at least one asset Bluetooth device indicates its location as being substantially within the zone defined relative to the machine. 
 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the at least one machine Bluetooth device includes at least a first machine Bluetooth device and a second machine Bluetooth device; 
 the machine includes the first and second machine Bluetooth devices; and 
 the first and second machine Bluetooth devices are configured to define the zone relative to the machine to prevent damage to personnel and/or an asset. 
 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the at least one asset Bluetooth device includes at least a first operator control unit and a second operator control unit; and 
 wherein the controller is configured to inhibit motion of the machine when at least one of the first operator control unit and the second operator control unit is indicated as being located substantially within the zone. 
 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 17 , wherein the first operator control unit includes the controller, the first operator control unit configured to inhibit motion of the machine when the first operator control unit and/or the at least one machine Bluetooth device detects a presence of the at least one asset Bluetooth device substantially within the zone. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one machine Bluetooth device is coupled to the controller via an interface, the at least one machine Bluetooth device configured to inhibit motion of the machine when the at least one asset Bluetooth device and/or the at least one machine Bluetooth device detects a presence of the at least one asset Bluetooth device substantially within the zone. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 15 , wherein the zone is defined based on a signal strength and/or a time of flight of the first Bluetooth signal.